North End standoff over, nearby school to reopen

Two adults are in custody following a tense situation near a North End elementary school this morning.

The incident occurred in the 600 block of St. John's Avenue at a home adjacent to the playground area of Faraday Elementary School on Parr Street. The tactical unit, K-9 unit and hostage negotiators were summoned to assist in the investigation, though police later confirmed it was not a hostage situation.

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Winnipeg police K-9 and tactical team has finished searching a house on St. John's Avenue. Photo Store

Police escorted a man and a woman out of the home at around 9 a.m.

Const. Eric Hofley said there were no weapons found in the residence. There was a report earlier in the morning that a man was walking on St. John's with a weapon, but police say the report originated elsewhere in Winnipeg.

Hofley said the one-and a-half-storey home is known to police and officers have been called to the address in question in the past. Neighbours say the house has been a problem for the rest of the block, with constant noise and activity around the residence day and night.

During the lengthy investigation – police were on scene at approximately 4:30 a.m. – officials closed down Faraday, advising parents with children enrolled at Faraday to avoid the area or take students directly to Isaac Newton School.

Hofley confirmed the lockdown at the elementary would be lifted later today.